Softball Closes Out Home Stand Against APSU

The EIU softball team closes out their home stand with a three-game series against Austin Peay this weekend.

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Game Notes

Panther Slap Hits:
The Panthers close out their home stand this weekend as they welcome Austin Peay to Charleston for a three-game series. The EIU softball team is currently 5-0 in OVC games played on their home field.

EIU heads into the weekend seventh in the OVC after sweeping EKU and improving to 6-6 in the conference. The Panthers look to secure a spot in the OVC tournament with wins over APSU as only the top eight teams earn a chance to compete in the postseason tournament.

Jessica Wireman will most likely earn at least one start this weekend after shattering her single game strikeout record against EKU. Wireman pitched 12 innings while throwing a whopping 22 strikeouts and walking only one batter. The complete game shutout earned Wireman her third OVC Pitcher of the Week award this season.

The Weekend Batting Order:
Saturday, Apr. 16 • Austin Peay
1 pm • Charleston, Ill.
Live Stats: eiupanthers.com
TV/Radio: OVC Digital Network
Last Meeting: 3/19/2015 (W, 12-8)

Saturday, Apr. 16 • Austin Peay
3 pm • Charleston, Ill.
Live Stats: eiupanthers.com
TV/Radio: OVC Digital Network
Last Meeting: 3/19/2015 (W, 12-8)

Sunday, Apr. 17 • Austin Peay
12 pm • Charleston, Ill.
Live Stats: eiupanthers.com
TV/Radio: OVC Digital Network
Last Meeting: 3/19/2015 (W, 12-8)

Last Time Out:
EIU only managed to play one of their weekend doubleheaders as Sunday's games against Morehead State were cancelled due to rain.

In the Panthers lone games of the past week EIU managed to give then undefeated Eastern Kentucky their first OVC losses sweeping the Colonels in Saturday's doubleheader.

Wireman and the Panther defense outlasted EKU in the first game winning 1-0 in 12 innings marking the second extra-inning game EIU has played all season. EIU won the second game over the Colonels 7-3.

Panther Rankings:
Wireman is only a sophomore at EIU and yet is still a force to be reckoned with on the mound as she earned her third OVC Pitcher of the Week award on April 11. Wireman is first in the OVC for shutouts this season with five total ranking her 14th in the NCAA. She is also tied for first in games started, complete games, and innings pitched.

As a team the Panthers currently have a .967 fielding percentage which is second in the OVC just behind Murray State.

Scouting The Field:
Austin Peay steps back into conference play after dropping a mid-week contest to Middle Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon. The Governors are currently 6-26 overall and 2-12 in the OVC. Before their 3-2 loss to Middle Tennessee APSU snapped a 12-game losing streak with an 8-6 win over Tennessee State. The Governors only other OVC win came in their conference opener over SIU Edwardsville.

The Panthers hold a 47-13 all-time series record over Austin Peay. EIU won the series against APSU last season winning two of three games in the weekend series. In fact the Panthers have won 13 of the last 14 games played against the Governors.

Freshman Danielle Liermann leads the way for APSU at the plate with 41 hits so far this season. Liermann also leads the team in home runs with five and RBIs with 29. APSU has three pitchers that are regulars on the mound led by Autumn Hanners who is 3-11 on the season with 52 strikeouts and a 4.03 ERA.

Looking Ahead:
Following this weekend's three-game series the Panthers head back out on the road for a very busy week that includes a non-conference game against Illinois Wednesday [Apr. 20]. The Panthers then continue conference play in Nashville with weekend doubleheaders at Belmont Saturday [Apr. 23] and Tennessee State Sunday [Apr. 24].

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Players Mentioned

#15 Jessica Wireman: P; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R / R

Players Mentioned

#15 Jessica Wireman
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R / R
: P

Players Mentioned

#15 Jessica Wireman

Players Mentioned

#15 Jessica Wireman